«“√ “√°“√·æ∑¬å·ºπ‰∑¬·≈–°“√·æ∑¬å∑“߇≈◊Õ° Journal of Thai Traditional & Alternative Medicine

ªï∑’Ë Traditional
Journal of Thai ˆ ©∫—∫∑’Ë Ò &¡°√“§¡-‡¡…“¬π ÚııÒ
Alternative Medicine Vol. 6Vol.No.
6 No.
1 1January-April
January - April 2008
2008

π‘æπ∏åμâπ©∫—∫
Notes on the genus Kaempferia L. (Zingiberaceae)
in Thailand
Chayan Picheansoonthon*†
Supachai Koonterm*

Abstract
The genus Kaempferia L. (Ziniberaceae) is one of the important medicinal plant genera in Thailand. As
a result of herbarium investigation and intensive field studies, 16 taxa are enumerated for Thailand in this
account. Distinguishable morphological characteristics of these species are given. Photographic illustrations
of some key species are included. The ethnobotany of the genus Kaempferia in Thailand is also discussed in
four main aspects: food, medicine, belief, and horticulture.
Key words: genus Kaempferia L. (Zingiberaceae), Thailand, taxonomy, ethnobotany

Introduction study, including for future drug development. Our fo-

The family Zingiberaceae is one of the most im- cus on the genera Caulokaemferia K.Larsen,
portant but least known medicinal plant families in Elettariopsis Baker., Gagnepainia K.Schum.,
Thailand. Several taxa of the family form the plant Hedychium J. K ö nig, Hemiorchis Kurz, and
group known in Thai folk taxonomy as wan, a me- Stahlianthus Kuntze of the family Zingiberaceae re-
dicinal plant group in the Thai materia medica and sulted in the report of several new taxa and new
recorded in the traditional Thai medical literature. records for Thailand,1-10 with several more reports to
The plants either have or lack underground storage be published.
roots or stems; some may be used for medicinal pur- The genus Kaempferia L. constitutes several wan
poses, but some are believed to possess certain spiri- known in the Thai literature, such as Wan Krachai-
tual or magical effects. dam (K. parviflora Wall. ex Baker), Wan Thao Nang-
During the past decade, we have been working haeng (K. angustifolia Roscoe), Wan Karchae-chan (K.
to establish basaline knowledge about this plant group galanga L.), and Wan Chang-njang (K. marginata
indigenous to Thailand, including taxonomic studies Carey), to name a few. Some of the wan in this genus
and ethnopharmacological documentation for further are still taxonomically unknown, a few of which may
be new to science, while some taxa are currently
* Pharmaceutical Botany and Pharmacognosy Research Unit, under intensive research for various aspects of drug
Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Khon Kaen University, development, e.g. K. galanga L. and K. parviflora Wall.
Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand
†
The Academy of Science, The Royal Institute of Thailand, Sanam
ex Baker.
Suea Pa, Khet Dusit, Bangkok 10300, Thailand This paper is a preliminary report on this genus

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in two main aspects, taxonomy and ethnobotany, re- Haniffia cyanescens (Ridl.) Holtt.18
sulting from our specimen-based investigation and
intensive field research throughout Thailand and Laos, Generic features
combined with previous reports on the genus. The Schumann (1903) considered the trilocular ovary
objective of the paper is to set up the most up-to- with axile placentation a key character of the genus
date baseline information on the genus Kaempferia Kaempferia L.19 However, this character is common
L. for future studies on all aspects, including new to other genera and seems to be variable within the
drug development. genus.14 Therefore, a combination of several diag-
nostic characteristics, both vegetative and floral mor-
Taxonomy phology, is essential for taxonomic decision at any
species level.
History The vegetative characters of taxa found in South-
The genus Kaempferia L. was established in 1753 east Asia are often associated with the fleshy rhi-
with two species: K. galanga L. and K. rotunda L.11,12 zomes, usually short, with several roots in a fascicle.
The former taxon was first described by a German The roots of some species, particularly those with
botanist, Engelbert Kaempfer (1651-1716), and was inflorescence separated from and preceding leaf-
chosen to be the lectotype for the genus by Hitchcock shoots, are fibrous with terminal globular to fusiform
and Green, and by Phillips.13,14 Since then, several storage tubers. Leaves range from one to a few; they
new taxa from Asia and Africa have been described. are filiform to very broad, rising from the rhizomes,
Baker (1890) listed four subgenera with a total of usually with keeled sheathes, short to long petioles,
22 species in his account on the genus Kaempferia L. small, inconspicuous, or without ligules. One to a few
for British India: Sincorus Horan. (12 species), large ovate to orbicular prostrate or accumbent leaves
Protanthium Horan. (2 species), onolophus Wall. (7 are characteristic of some taxa, e.g. K. galanga L., K.
species), and Stachyanthesis Benth. (1 species).15 laotica Gagnep., K. marginata Carey. Narrowly linear
However, some of these taxa have currently been to filiform leaf blades are unique to a certain group,
transferred to other related genera, i.e. Boesenbergia i.e., K. fissa Gagnep., K. fallax Gagnep., and K. filifolia
Kuntze, Camptandra Ridl., Caulokaempferia K.Larsen, K. Larsen. However, from our intensive studies on
and Stahlianthus Kuntze. Much later, Kam (1980) made the herbarium specimens available and our investi-
the exemplary and lucid analyses on the taxonomic gation of living specimens, these characters can vary
history of the genus and pointed out that the subge- greatly within a species.
nus Sincorus (Horan.) Baker includes the generic type, The inflorescence of all species found in Thai-
and, therefore, should become subgenus Kaempferia.14 land is either separated from (in all taxa preceding
She tentatively recognized three groups as sections the appearance of the leaf-shoots), or terminal on and
of Asiatic species: Sect. Kaempferia (the K. galanga contemporaneous with the leaf-shoots. The terminal
group), Sect. Protanthium (Horan.) Benth. (the K. ro- inflorescence often forms a pedunculate head, and all
tunda group), and Sect. Stachyantheis Benth., with its primary bracts are always fertile. However, the
only one taxon, K. scaposa (Dalz.) Benth.14 radical inflorescence is either sessile or very shortly
In his account, Gagnepain (1908) enumerated 13 pedunculated, with 2-4 sterile sheathing bracts. The
taxa for Indochina.16 Although most of his species non-tubular primary bract is always accompanied by
are currently accepted, three have been placed under a shortly bilobed or bilobed-to-the-base bracteole, and
a different genus, Boesenbergia Kuntze. In 1924, Rid- subtends only one flower.
ley reported five species in his treatment of the Malay A combination of the overall floral morphology is
Penninsula.17 Holttum (1950) accepted four of Ridleyûs characteristic of the Asiatic Kaempferia species. The
accounts, but transferred K. cyanescens Ridl. to labellum is separated from the lateral staminodes al-
Journal of Thai Traditional & Alternative Medicine Vol. 6 No. 1 January - April 2008 ˜ı

most to the base, and is often deeply bilobed, except and petaloid anther crests, never çZingiber-likeé, as
that of K. parviflora Wall. ex Baker. The lateral in the genus Zingiber. Also, the Kaempferia is also
staminodes are always petaloid and the anther crest distinguishable by its more or less bilobe bracteoles,
is always conspicuous and could be entire or den- while the bracteole is absent in the Cornukaempferia.
tate, straight or reflexed, and narrow or orbicular.
Moreover, the stigma is always cup-shaped with cili- The Thai Taxa
ated rims and the stylodial glands are paired and Of the 15 taxa accounted for in Thailand,20,21 six
needle-like. were also reported for China.22 K. candida Wall. was
However, morphological features can be greatly later reported to also be found in Thailand23 and a
variable, even within the same taxon. Therefore, until new taxon, K. grandifolia Saensouk & Jenjitt., was
the range of character variation of these generic fea- also added.24 All currently known Thai taxa can be
tures is fully understood, a single diagnostic charac- divided into two groups, the K. galanga-group and
ter cannot be used for taxonomic decision-making. the K. rotunda-group. The former group is character-
ized by a short multiflorous inflorescence that appears
Relationship earlier before the leaves, while the latter group in-
As pointed out by Holttum (1971), the genus cludes species in which the inflorescence has few
Kaempferia L. is morphologically closely related to flowers and is terminal on the leaf-shoots. In Thai-
the genera Boesenbergia O.Kuntze and Scaphochlamys land, three species, K. candida Wall, K. grandifolia
Baker.18 Both Kaempferia and Boesengergia possess Saensouk & Jenjitt., and K. rotunda L., represent the
one flower in the axil of each bract, with one or two former group. To set up baseline information on the
bracteoles. In contrast with the not-two-ranked bract genus for further studies, all the Thai taxa will be
arrangement and the often flat and bilobed labella of discussed here briefly.
the Kaempferia, those of the Boesenbergia are two-
ranked, and the labella often saccate with the distal 1. K. angustifolia Roscoe in Trans. Linn. Soc. 8: 351.
part often being entire or crenate, and often reddish 1807; Monandr. Pl. t. 04. 1828; Roxb., Fl. Ind. 1: 17.
toward the apex. These characters clearly are dis- 1820; Horan., Monogr.: 21. 1862; Bak. in Hook., Fl. Br.
tinct enough to differentiate the two genera.18 Ind. 6: 219. 1894; Schum. in Engl., Pflanzenr. 4(46), 20
The rhizomes of the Kaempferia are either short Heft: 86. 1904; Sirirugsa in Nord. J. Bot. 9: 259. 1989 &
fleshy elements or fleshy tuber-bearing roots, while in Thai For. Bull. (Bot.) 19: 8-9. 1992.––K. roxburghiana
those of the Scaphochlamys are less fleshy, often long Schult., Mant. 1: 83. 1822.––K. undulata Teysm. et
creeping.18 The short and compact inflorescence of Binn. in Neederl. Kruidk. Arch. 3:391. 1855. (non Link
the Kaempferia comprises one flower to each bract. in Dietr. Syn.); Icon. T. 376. 1914. Plate II:5.
The flower is accompanied by a more or less deeply
Type: Bangladesh, Roxburgh s.n. (holotype K)
bilobe bracteole or by two narrow separated bracteoles.
The labellum is deeply bilobed (except K. parviflora This medicinal taxon is a variable species with
Wall. ex. Baker), the anther crest is often large and the leaves ranging from small (about 4 × 1 cm) to
petaloid, and the filament always very short, whereas quite large (14-20 × 4-10 cm). The distinguishable
those inflorescences of the Scaphochlamys consist of characteristic of this species are the erect elliptic-
several flowers to each bract; however, the labellum oblong leaves with undulate margins, the inflores-
is never so deeply bilobed, and the filament is always cence borne in the two innermost leaf-sheaths, the
present.18 quadrangulate and white (with a purple blotch at the
The Kaempferia L. is also related to the genus center) anther crest (about 3.5 cm long) with a bifid
Cornukaempferia J.Mood & K.Larsen in general habit.25 apex, and the glabrous ovary. The labella of this spe-
However, the Kaempferia always produces large, flat, cies are lilac with purple blotch at the center, obo-
˜ˆ «“√ “√°“√·æ∑¬å·ºπ‰∑¬·≈–°“√·æ∑¬å∑“߇≈◊Õ° ªï∑’Ë ˆ ©∫—∫∑’Ë Ò ¡°√“§¡ - ‡¡…“¬π ÚııÒ

Fig. 1 K. angustifolia Roscoe, showing the plant habit, leaves and flower.

Fig. 2 K. candida Wall., showing the rhizome, roots, and an Fig. 3 K. candida Wall., showing a rhizome, roots, and an in-
inflorescence. florescence and details of the flowers.
Journal of Thai Traditional & Alternative Medicine Vol. 6 No. 1 January - April 2008 ˜˜

vate and bilobe (in the middle), while the staminodes Type: Myanmar, tenasserim, Wallich 6593 (Lectotype
are white, obovate-oblong or oblong. K)
This species can be found in (its natural habitat) This beautiful species is recognized here as con-
in Ubon Ratchathani Province of Thailand, but it is specific to K. pulchra Ridl. It is also variable in plant
wildly cultivated, especially in northeastern Thailand, habit. However, it can be readily distinguished by
for spiritual and medicinal purposes. The cultivated its erect leaf blades, with 1-10 cm long petioles and
ones seem to be much larger in habit. the triangular (2-5 mm long) ligules, long hairy
pedunculated (1-20 cm) inflorescences, and violet
2. K. candida Wall., Pl. Asiat. Rar. 1: 47, t. 56. 1830; flowers with large orbicular to oblong crests with
Bak. in Hook., Fl. Br. Ind. 6: 222. 1894; Schum. in variable apices.
Engl., Pflanzenr. 4(46), 20 Heft: 87. 1904; Gagnep. in This taxon is also widely distributed: from India
Lecomte, Fl. Gén. I.-C. 6: 47. 1908; Jenjitt. & K.Larsen and Myanmar to Thailand and Peninsular Malaysia.
in Thai For. Bull. (Bot.) 28: 45-46, figs. 1-2. 2000; T.L.Wu It can be found from the northern part of the country
& K.Larsen in Z.L. Wu & PH. Raven, Fl. China 24: to Peninsular Thailand, often along the streams on
369. 2000. limestone boulders in mixed deciduous forests. This
species is widely cultivated in Thailand for horticul-
Type: Myanmar, Wallich 6585 (holotype K)
tural purposes. The leaves are edible and the rhi-
This edible taxon can be easily recognized by zomes are medicinal.
its radical inflorescences arising from the rhizomes
before the appearance of the leaf-shoot, white erect 4. K. fallax Gagnep. in Bull. Soc. Bot. Fr. 4. ser. 3:
lateral staminodes with yellow patches at the base, 259. 1903; Schum. in Engl., Pflanzenr. 4(46), 20 Heft:
and white reflexed labellum apically two-lobed for 437. 1904; Gagnep. in Lecomte, Fl. Gén. I.-C. 6: 48.
about one-third its length, with two yellow lines at 1908; Sirirugsa in Nord. J. Bot. 9: 259. 1989 & in Thai
the center. The inflorescences appear from as early For. Bull. (Bot.) 19: 4-5. 1992.
as March until late July.
Type: Laos, Harmand s.n. (holotype P)
This species is distributed from Myanmar and
China (southwest Yunnan) through Vietnam, Laos and This taxon can be distinguished by its 2-4 linear
Cambodia. 22 In Thailand it was recorded in leaves (not more than 1 cm wide), sessile inflores-
Kanchanaburi Province.23 However, the authors also cences with pure white, night-blooming flowers, obo-
found this species in Tak, Mae Hong Son, and Chiang vate lateral staminodes, deeply bilobed lips, and quad-
Mai. rate bilobed crests. It is closely related to K. fissa
Gagnep. and K. filifolia K.Larsen. in plant habit and
3. K. elegans Wall. ex Baker. in Hooker, Fl. Br. Ind. its white flowers. However, the leaves of the latter
6:222. 1890; Schum. in Engl., Pflanzenr. 4(46), 20 Heft: two taxa are filiformis and the anther crests are ei-
82. 1904; Ridl., Fl. Mal. Pen. 4:245. 1924; Holtt. in Gard. ther square or rectangular with apices ranging from
Bull. Sing. 13:123. 1950; Chung, Lime. Fl. Mal. 2: 711. straight to bifurcate.
1973; Sirirugsa in Nord. J. Bot. 9: 259. 1989 & in Thai This species can be found thoughout southern
For. Bull. (Bot.) 19: 5-6. 1992; T.L.Wu & K.Larsen in Laos. It often grows in sandy soils near the banks of
Z.L.Wu & PH. Raven, Fl. China 24: 369. 2000.––K. rivers or in paddy fields in Nakhon Phanom,
crawfurdii Wall., Cat. in ed.–Monolophus elegans Wall., Ubonratchathani and Amnat Charoen provinces in
Pl. Asiat. Rar. 1:24. t. 27. 1830; Horan., Monogr. :22.1862. northeastern Thailand.
––K. pulchra Ridl. in J. Str. Br. Asiat. Soc. Bengal 32:
107. 1899. 5. K. filifolia K.Larsen in Bot. Tidsskr. 58: 201. 1962;
Sirirugsa in Nord. J. Bot. 9: 259. 1989 & in Thai For.
˜¯ «“√ “√°“√·æ∑¬å·ºπ‰∑¬·≈–°“√·æ∑¬å∑“߇≈◊Õ° ªï∑’Ë ˆ ©∫—∫∑’Ë Ò ¡°√“§¡ - ‡¡…“¬π ÚııÒ

Fig. 4 K. elegans Wall. ex Baker, showing the plant habit, flowers and leaves.

Fig. 5 K. elegans Wall. ex Baker, showing detail of the flowers.

Journal of Thai Traditional & Alternative Medicine Vol. 6 No. 1 January - April 2008 ˜˘

Fig. 6 K. fallax Gagnep., showing the plant habit and a flower. Fig. 7 K. fallax Gagnep., showing detail of the flower.

Fig. 8 K. filifolia K.Larsen, showing the plant habit and a flower. Fig. 9 K. filifolia K.Larsen, showing detail of the flower.
¯ «“√ “√°“√·æ∑¬å·ºπ‰∑¬·≈–°“√·æ∑¬å∑“߇≈◊Õ° ªï∑’Ë ˆ ©∫—∫∑’Ë Ò ¡°√“§¡ - ‡¡…“¬π ÚııÒ

Bull. (Bot.) 19: 5. 1992.

Type: probably Hort. Cliff.
Type: Thailand, Phu Wat (Mukdahan Province), Kerr
This generic type species is one of the impor-
21500 (holotype K)
tant medicinal plants used in Thai traditional medi-
This taxon was described from the specimen cine. It can be readily distinguished from other taxa
collected by A.F.G. Kerr in 1932 from çPu Wat (Nakawn by its two horizontal (flat on the ground), ovate-to-
Panom)é, which is nowadays Phu Wat of Mukdahan suborbicular, unequal-side, sessile leaves with inflo-
Province in northeastern Thailand. The type speci- rescence enclosed in the two leaf-sheaths, and white
men was described as closely related to K. fissa flowers. The lateral staminodes are obovate-cuneate
Gagnep. and K. fallax Gagnep, but it differs in the or oblanceolate and the labellum is divided to the
larger habits and anther crests. All three taxa possess base with a purple blotch at the base. The anther
pure white, night-blooming flowers. The connective crest is 4-5 × 2-3 mm, deeply bilobed, each lobe be-
appendage of this taxon may be described as rectan- ing rounded or unequally toothed.
gular with bifurcate apex, while those of the two lat- This taxon is distributed over a wide range: from
ter species are short bifurcate and square respec- India to Myanmar, China, Thailand, Indochina, Malay
tively. However, these characters, which are used for Peninsula and Java. It can be found in bamboo for-
taxonomic decision-making, are variable, especially ests, often in evergreen and deciduous forests, in all
the length of the leaves and corolla tubes. parts of Thailand. It is widely cultivated in Thai home
During the past few years, the authors have made gardens as the leaves and rhizomes are used for food
several visits to the sites of this taxon in Phu Phan and medicine.
National Park (Sakon Nakhon Province), Phu Wat (type
location, formerly Nakhon Phanom, but now Mukdahan 7. K. glandifolia Saensouk & Jenjitt. in Nord. J. Bot.
Province), Khong Chiam and Sirindhorn Districts 21: 139-140, Figs. 1-2. 2001.
(Ubonratchathani Province), including several other
Type: Thailand, Khon Kaen Province, Kok Phu Takla,
locations in southern Laos, to monitor and study the
Saensouk 55 (holotype BKF)
living populations. At this stage we suspect that this
species may be conspecific to K. fissa Gagnep. A This unique species can be readily distinguished
molecular study to confirm our hypothesis is in by its inflorescences on separate shoots arising from
progress. rhizomes appearing before the pseudostems, the 4-5
large (12.5-20 × 15-20 cm) almost horizontal (near the
6. K. galanga L., Sp. Pl.: 2. 1753; Roxb., Pl. Ind. 1: 5. ground) suborbicular leaves, and the pedunculated
1820; Bak. in Hook., Fl. Br. Ind. 6: 218. 1890; Schum. (0.5-3 cm) inflorescences with pure white flowers. The
in Engl., Pflanzenr. 4(46), 20 Heft: 77. 1904; Gagnep. anther crest of the flower is oblong with a conspicu-
in Lecomte, Fl. Gén. I.-C. 6: 45. 1908; Ridl., Fl. Mal. ously bilobed apex.
Pen. 4:245. 1924; Holtt. in Gard. Bull. Sing. 13:117. So far the taxon is known only from the type
1950; Larsen in Bot. Tidsskr. 58: 201. 1962; Chung, location in a restricted area of Khon Kaen Province in
Lime. Fl. Mal. 2: 703. 1973; Burtt & Smith in northeastern Thailand. The leaves and rhizomes are
Dassanayake, Fl. Cey. 4: 508. 1983; Sirirugsa in Nord. used by the local people for medicinal purposes.
J. Bot. 9: 259. 1989 & in Thai For. Bull. (Bot.) 19: 11.
1992; T.L.Wu & K.Larsen in Z.L.Wu & PH. Raven, Fl. 8. K. glauca Ridl. in J. Asiat. Soc. Bengal: 107. 1899;
China 24: 369. 2000.––K. sessilis König in Retz., Obs. Schum. in Engl., Pflanzenr. 4(46), 20 Heft: 78. 1904;
3: 67. 1783.––K. humilis Salisb., Prodr. 6. 1796.––K. Gagnep. in Lecomte, Fl. Gén. I.-C. 6: 51. 1908; Sirirugsa
plantaginifolia Salisb. in Trans. Hort. Soc. 1: 286. 1808. in Nord. J. Bot. 9: 259. 1989 & in Thai For. Bull. (Bot.)
19: 13. 1992.
Journal of Thai Traditional & Alternative Medicine Vol. 6 No. 1 January - April 2008 ¯Ò

Fig. 10 K. glandifolia Saensouk & Jenjitt., showing flowers. Fig. 11 K. glandifolia Saensouk & Jenjitt., showing detail of its
flower.

Fig. 12 K. glandifolia Saensouk & Jenjitt., showing the plant habit and leaves.
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1 cm long) elliptic-linear to linear leaf blade (up to 1

Type: Thailand, Curtis 3252 (lectotype K)
cm wide) with the hooded and acute apex, broadly
This taxon is placed among the K. galanga group, triangular ligule (about 1 mm long), and the obovate
plants with 2-3 flat, near-the-ground leaves and inflo- anther crest with rounded or crenate apex. The flow-
rescences produced in the innermost leaf-sheaths. ers of this taxon are violet with the obovate staminodes
However, K. glauca Ridl. can be differentiated from and the lip divided to the base (each lobe obovate).
other species of the same group by its glacous leaves, This species is distributed in northeastern Thai-
inflorescence with hairy peduncle and violet flowers, land (Ubonratchathani and Amnat Charoen provinces)
obovate-cuneate to suborbicular lateral staminodes, and southern Laos (Champasak Province). It can be
suborbicular labellum (divided to the base) with white found in open areas and in paddy fields. It is used by
blotch near the base, large violet recurved reniform the local people for medicinal purposes.
anther crest, and the hairy calyx tube and ovary.
This species is distributed in Thailand and Laos. 11. K. marginata Carey ex Roscoe, Monandr. Pl.
Scitam.t. 93. 1824; Horan. Monogr.: 21. 1862; Bak. in
9. K. laotica Gagnep. in Bull. Soc. Bot Fr. 54: 166. Hook., Fl. Br. Ind. 6: 219. 1894; Schum. in Engl.,
1907; Gagnep. in Lecomte, Fl. Gén. I.-C. 6: 51. 1908; Pflanzenr. 4(46), 20 Heft: 78. 1904; Sirirugsa in Nord.
Sirirugsa in Nord. J. Bot. 9: 259. 1989 & in Thai For. J. Bot. 9: 259. 1989 & in Thai For. Bull. (Bot.) 19: 10.
Bull. (Bot.) 19: 14. 1992. 1992; T.L.Wu & K.Larsen in Z.L.Wu & PH. Raven, Fl.
China 24: 370. 2000.
Type: Laos, Xiang-kouang, Spire 309 (holotype P)
Type: Myanmar, Tenasserim, Carey no. ? (lectotype
This taxon is also in the K. galanga group, plants
K)
usually with two flat, near-the-ground leaves and in-
florescences produced in the innermost leaf-sheaths. This species resembles and may be conspecific
It differs from K. elegans Wall. ex Baker and K. glauca to K. galanga L. However, the major differences of
Ridl. by its sessile inflorescences and glabrous calyx both taxa are the color of the leaf margin and color of
tubes and ovaries. However, it is similar to K. the labellum. The leaf margin of K. marginata Carey
roscoeana Wall., but differs in the following charac- is purple in color, while that of K. galanga L. is green.
ters: the lower leaf surface is hairy and the anther The labellum of the former is purple, sometimes with
crest rectangular with the entire or emarginate apex longitudinal white bands near the margin, whereas
(compared with the leaves, both sides are glabrous that of the latter is white with a purple marking at
and the anther crest is small, ovate keeled with the the base.
entire apex). The flower of this species is white with This taxon is distributed in a range from India,
obovate-cuneate staminodes and deeply divided obo- Myanmar, China, Thailand, Laos and Cambodia. In
vate lips with purple blotch at the center. Thailand, it can be often seen in open areas, paddy
This species is distributed in evergreen forests fields, or evergreen forests in the northern, northeast-
in northeastern Thailand and in Laos. ern, and upper southern regions of the country. It is
also used by the local people for food and medicine.
10. K. larsenii Sirirugsa in Nord. J. Bot. 9: 257. 1989.
Fig. 1 H-P & in Thai For. Bull. (Bot.) 19: 14. 1992. 12. K. parviflora Wall. ex Baker. in Hook., Fl. Br. Ind.
6: 221. 1894; Schum. in Engl., Pflanzenr. 4(46), 20 Heft:
Type: Thailand, Ubonratchathani, Nilviset 19 (holo-
78. 1904; Sirirugsa in Nord. J. Bot. 9: 259. 1989 & in
type C, isotype BKF)
Thai For. Bull. (Bot.) 19: 6-7. 1992.
This species can be placed in the K. galanga L. Type: Myanmar, Bank of the Attran River, Wallich
group. It can be differentiated by its petiolated (about 6587 (lectotype K)
Journal of Thai Traditional & Alternative Medicine Vol. 6 No. 1 January - April 2008 ¯Û

Fig. 13 K. laotica Gagnep., showing the plant habit, leaves and flowers.

Fig. 14 K. laotica Gagnep., showing detail of its flower. Fig. 15 K. laotica Gagnep., showing detail of its flower.
¯Ù «“√ “√°“√·æ∑¬å·ºπ‰∑¬·≈–°“√·æ∑¬å∑“߇≈◊Õ° ªï∑’Ë ˆ ©∫—∫∑’Ë Ò ¡°√“§¡ - ‡¡…“¬π ÚııÒ

Fig. 16 K. larsenii Sirirugsa, showing the plant habit and infloresence.

Fig. 17 K. parviflora Wall. ex Baker, showing the plant habit. Fig. 18 K. parviflora Wall. ex Baker, showing detail of its flower.
Journal of Thai Traditional & Alternative Medicine Vol. 6 No. 1 January - April 2008 ¯ı

This is the most famous Thai taxon in recent Pl. t. 97. 1828; Wight, Icon. T. 2029. 1853; Bak. in
times. Its rhizome is claimed to possess a potent male Hook., Fl. Br. Ind. 6: 222. 1890; Schum. in Engl.,
aphrodisiac effect, known locally as wan krachai dam, Pflanzenr. 4(46), 20 Heft: 87. 1904; Gagnep. in Lecomte,
or krachai dam. This taxon possesses grayish to black Fl. Gén. I.-C. 6: 47. 1908; Valet., Bull. Jard. Bot.
rhizomes and the erect ovate or elliptic leaf blades, Buitinzorg ser. 2. 27: 109. 1918; Ridl., Fl. Mal. Pen.
with 1-10 cm long petioles. The inflorescence is pe- 4:246. 1924; Holtt. in Gard. Bull. Sing. 13:120. 1950.
dunculated (5-6 cm) with a few small flowers easily Plate II: 4; Burtt & Smith in Dassanayake, Fl. Cey. 4:
recognized by the white oblong staminodes, the obo- 509. 1983; Sirirugsa in Nord. J. Bot. 9: 259. 1989 & in
vate purple lip (darker in the middle) with the Thai For. Bull. (Bot.) 19: 7-8. 1992; T.L.Wu & K.Larsen
emarginated apex, and suborbicular (1-1.5 × about 2 in Z.L.Wu & PH. Raven, Fl. China 24: 369. 2000.––K.
mm) anther crest. longa Jacq., Pl. Hort. Schönbr. tab. 317. 1798.––K.
This species is distributed over an area from vercicolor Salisb. in Trans. Hort. Soc. 1: 286. 1808.
India and Myanmar to Thailand and Laos. In Thai-
Type: Roscoe ill?
land, it can be found in deciduous forests or moist
bamboo forests in Tak and Kanchanaburi provinces. This species, including K. candida Wall. and K.
It is currently widely cultivated in Thailand for its glandifolia Saensouk & Jenjitt., belongs to a group
black rhizomes. characterized by its radical inflorescences arising from
the rhizomes before the appearance of the leaf-shoot.
13. K. roscoeana Wall., Bot. Reg. t.1212. 1829; Horan., However, it can be differentiated from the later two
Monogr.:21. 1862; Hook. f., Bot. Mag. T. 5600. 1866; taxa by its characteristic leaves and flowers. This taxon
Bak. in Hook., Fl. Br. Ind. 6: 220. 1894; Schum. in possesses 2-4, erect, ellictic or lanceolate-oblong leaves
Engl., Pflanzenr. 4(46), 20 Heft: 78. 1904; Sirirugsa in with the upper surface being glabrous and the lower
Nord. J. Bot. 9: 259. 1989 & in Thai For. Bull. (Bot.) 19: surface hairy, and hairy petioles about 1-2 cm long.
13-14. 1992. The oblong lateral staminodes are white (or light
purple) with a purple tint, and the purple labellum is
Type: Myanmar, cultivated at K, Wallich no. ? (holo-
deeply bilobed (each lobe is elliptic), often with two
type K)
darker purple blotches at the base of each lobe. The
This species is characterized by its usually two anther crest is characteristically oblong (9-12 × 3-4
large sessile suborbicular leaves and white flowers mm) with the trilobed apex, the outer lobes are acute
with yellow spot at the base of the labella. The leaves and elongated but the middle one is shorter (the apex
are flat on the ground, both sides glabrous, and often being entire or emarginate).
the upper surface mottled dark green. The staminodes This taxon is distributed from India through Sri
are obovate and the labellum is deeply divided to Lanka, southern China, Indochina, Malay Peninsula
form the obovate lobes with crenate or emarginate and Java. In Thailand it had been recorded in all parts
apex. The anther crest is characteristically rectangu- of the country. It can be found on limestone hills,
lar (3-3.5 × 1-3 mm) with the entire or emarginate open lower montane forests, open grassy areas, and
apex. in mixed deciduous forests, from as low an altitude
This taxon is distributed in a range from India, as 50 m to above 1800 m on Doi Sam Phi Nong in
Nepal and Myanmar, to Thailand. It can be found in Chiang Dao Wildlife Sanctuary (Chiang Mai Pro-
the bamboo and dry dipterocarp forests in Tak, Chiang vince).
Mai, Kanchanaburi, Nakhon Ratchasima and Prachuap
Khiri Khan provinces of Thailand. 15. K. siamensis Sirirugsa in Nord. J. Bot. 9: 257, 259.
1989. Fig. 1 A-G & in Thai For. Bull. (Bot.) 19: 9-10.
14. K. rotunda L., Sp. Pl.: 3. 1753; Roscoe, Monand. 1992.
¯ˆ «“√ “√°“√·æ∑¬å·ºπ‰∑¬·≈–°“√·æ∑¬å∑“߇≈◊Õ° ªï∑’Ë ˆ ©∫—∫∑’Ë Ò ¡°√“§¡ - ‡¡…“¬π ÚııÒ

Fig. 19 K. roscoeana Wall., showing the leaves and flowers. Fig. 20 K. roscoeana Wall., showing detail of the flower.

Fig. 22 K. rotunda L., showing rhizome, roots and an

Fig. 21 K. rotunda L., showing detail of the flower. infructescence.
Journal of Thai Traditional & Alternative Medicine Vol. 6 No. 1 January - April 2008 ¯˜

Fig. 23 K. siamensis Sirirugsa, showing the plant habit. Fig. 24 K. siamensis Sirirugsa, showing detail of the flower.

Fig. 25 K. spoliata Sirirugsa, showing detail of the flower.

¯¯ «“√ “√°“√·æ∑¬å·ºπ‰∑¬·≈–°“√·æ∑¬å∑“߇≈◊Õ° ªï∑’Ë ˆ ©∫—∫∑’Ë Ò ¡°√“§¡ - ‡¡…“¬π ÚııÒ

Range on the Thai-Cambodian border. So far it is

Type: Thailand, Sakhon Nakhon, Yuktathat 133 (holo-
known only from the type location currently under
type E, isotype PSU)
the military control and closed to public access. It
This Thai endemic taxon was described from possesses most of the Kaempferia characters, but the
the specimen collected from Phu Phan National Park. absence of the two lateral staminodes itself has placed
It can be readily distinguished by its solitary, pros- this species in the most unique taxon of the genus.
trate, sessile, suborbicular, glabrous leaf with con- The original description of this taxon stated that
spicuous ligule, oblong purple staminodes with ç...leaves 6-7, radical, sessile; blade linear 6-8(-13) ×
rounded or slightly undulate apex, purple obovate- 0.6-0.8(-1) cm, apex acuminate, base cuneate, upper
cuneate, bilobed (with the apex divided to the middle) surface glabrous, under surface villous... .é 20,21 How-
labellum, and deeply divided anther crest. ever, the first author made two visits, in 2004 and
This species can be found in the type locations 2006, to the type location and its neighboring areas
and its nearby evergreen forests. to study the living population and has collected some
specimens. The living specimens are quite different
16. K. spoliata Sirirugsa in Nord. J. Bot. 9: 259. 1989. from the earlier descriptions.
Fig. 1 Q-V & in Thai For. Bull. (Bot.) 19: 3. 1992.
Type: Thailand, Sisaket, Maxwell 76-493 (holotype L, Ethnobotany
isotype BK, AAU) Ethnobotany is the multidisciplinary study of the
This taxon is described from the specimen col- direct interrelationship between people of any ethnicity
lected from Chong Bat Lak in the Phanom Dongrak and plants in their environment, with the focus on

Fig. 26 Dok Din (K. candia Wall.) is sold in local markets in Thong Pha Pum District of Kanchanaburi Province, Thailand.
Journal of Thai Traditional & Alternative Medicine Vol. 6 No. 1 January - April 2008 ¯˘

food, medicine, dwelling, clothing, and art, culture a combination of a literature survey and our field re-
and beliefs.27-29 Research in the area of ethnobotany search.
can be focused on a certain ethnic group or tradi-
tional society, certain geographical regions, or cer- Food
tain plant groups.27 Methodologies employed in eth- Some taxa in the genus Kaempferia L. are ed-
nobotanical and ethnobiological research, including ible and are available in local markets from as early
research in traditional medicine, have been discussed as the end of March and throughout the rainy season
in detail elsewhere.30,31 (May-October), and some are grown in home gar-
The senior author and his students have been dens.
working on the ethnobotany of the ginger family The rhizomes and leaves of K. galanga L., known
(Zingiberaceae) in Thailand during the past decade, locally as pro hom (‡ª√“–ÀÕ¡), are used as a spice in
and the results of that research will be published in a local Thai delicacy. The rhizomes, together with
the near future. The research methods employed have chillies and other ingredients are mixed and ground
been discussed in detail in a separate publication.32 into a paste, which is used as a base for making a
Part of the result of our ethnobotanical research on curry. The leaves, washed and cut into the very thin
the ginger family in Thailand will be discussed here pieces, are used for seasoning the curry. Leaves of
briefly to complete our treatment of the genus other taxa known locally as pro pa (‡ª√“–ªÉ“), i.e., K.
Kaempferia L. The information reported here is from marginata Carey, K. elegans Wall. ex Baker, can also

Fig. 27 Wan Krachai Dum (K. parviflora Wall. ex Baker) sold Fig. 28 Sun-drying Krachai Dum (K. parviflora Wall. ex Baker)
in Chatuchak Market (Bangkok) after harvesting
˘ «“√ “√°“√·æ∑¬å·ºπ‰∑¬·≈–°“√·æ∑¬å∑“߇≈◊Õ° ªï∑’Ë ˆ ©∫—∫∑’Ë Ò ¡°√“§¡ - ‡¡…“¬π ÚııÒ

be utilized for the same purpose. However, rhizomes local people living along the western Thai-Myanmar
of other species are not used as substitutes for those border, in areas such a Kanchanaburi, Tak, and Mae
of K. galanga L. since they are too bitter. Hong Son provinces, as dok din literally means çflowers
Flowers of K. candida Wall. appearing before the of the soilé).
leaf-shoots are collected from the wild by locals for The young inflorescences of K. grandifolia
either household use or for sale in local markets. It is Saensouk & Jenjitt. are edible. The people living
used as a vegetable not only steamed or fried and around the type location call the plant toob-moob or
eaten with nam prik, the Thai chilli dip, but also put toob-moob bai yai. The young inflorescences are
into soup. This edible flower is known among the blanched and eaten as a vegetable.

Table 1. List of the wans in the genus Kaempferia L.

No. Thai Name Botanical Names Use
1. Wan Chao Noi Maha Phrom K. aff. rotunda L. Medicinal & spiritual
(«à“π‡®â“πâÕ¬¡À“æ√À¡)
2. Wan Phaya Nok-kum K. aff. parviflora Wall. Medicinal & spiritual
(«à“πæ≠“π°§ÿâ¡)
3. Wan Khum-dong K. aff. roscoeana Wall. Spiritual
(«à“π§ÿâ¡¥ß)
4. Wan Nok Khum K. elegans Wall. ex Baker Spiritual
(«à“ππ°§ÿâ¡)
5. Wan Kam-bang K. aff. elegans Wall. ex Baker Spiritual
(«à“π°”∫—ß)
6. Wan Krachae Chan K. aff. galanga L. Medicinal & spiritual
(«à“π°√–·®–®—π∑πå)
7. Wan Mai-deed K. rotunda L. Medicinal & spiritual
(«à“π‰¡â¥¥’ )
8. Wan Kai Dam K. rotunda L. Spiritual
(«à“π‰°à¥”)
9. Wan Pro Hom K. galanga L. Medicinal
(«à“π‡ª√“–ÀÕ¡)
10. Wan Pro Pa K. marginata Carey Medicinal
(«à“π‡ª√“–ªÉ“) K. roscoeana Wall.
K. elegans Wall. ex Baker
11. Wan Krachai Dam K. parviflora Wall. ex Baker Medicinal & spiritual
(«à“π°√–™“¬¥”)
12. Wan Thao Nang Haeng K. angustifolia Roscoe Medicinal
(«à“π‡≤à“Àπ—ß·Àâß)
13. Wan Prab Samut K. angustifolia Roscoe Medicinal & spiritual
(«à“πª√“∫ ¡ÿ∑√)
14. Wan Petch Kong K. angustifolia Roscoe Medicinal & spiritual
(«à“π‡æ™√§ß)
15. Wan Hom K. galanga L. Medicinal & spiritual
(«à“πÀÕ¡)
16. Wan Thippa-nate K. rotunda L. Medicinal & spiritual
(«à“π∑‘æ¬å‡πμ√)
17. Wan Teen Yen K. aff. galanga L. Medicinal
(«à“πμ’π‡¬Áπ)
18. Wan Pro Noi Kaempferia sp. Medicinal & spiritual
(«à“π‡ª√“–πâÕ¬)
Journal of Thai Traditional & Alternative Medicine Vol. 6 No. 1 January - April 2008 ˘Ò

Medicine the name pro tung song (The Two Pro).34

In one of the oldest publications in the Thai herbal In northeastern Thailand, the local people living
literature, King Narai Remedies, two crude drugs made around the type location (Phu Wiang District of Khon
from the genus Kaempferia L. are formulated in Kaen Province) of K. grandifolia Saensouk and Jenjitt.
several herbal recipes. The herb pro pom (‡ª√“–ÀÕ¡) use the leaves and rhizomes, blending them with
refers to the rhizomes of K. galanga L. and the crude husked rice, as an anti-herpes medication. The rhi-
drug known as wan pro pa (‡ª√“–ªÉ“) may refer to any zomes of K. filifolia K. Larsen boiled with water are
of three taxa, K. marginata Carey, K. elegans Wall. ex used for leucorrhoea in Ubonratchathani Province.
Baker, and K. roscoeana Wall.33 Selections from the Rhizomes of K. larsenii Sirirugsa, ground and applied
Thai traditional medical literature state that pro hom externally, are used to treat inflammation caused by
is characteristically pungent and bitter in taste but insects bites.
possesses a carminative effect, while pro pa, although Recently, wan krachai dam (K. parviflora Wall.
having the same taste, also has an antipyretic ef- ex Baker), or currently known in short as çKrachai
fect.32 Pro hom (K. galanga L.) is recognized in two Damé, has become a popular herb. The purplish black
forms, the çredé and the çwhiteé forms, and some- rhizomes of this taxon are claimed to produce a male
times they are prescribed together as a set of drugs aphrodisiac effect. This species currently is cultivated
under the name pro hom tung song (The Two Pro nationwide to serve consumer demand and the price
Hom), i.e. pro hom daeng (daeng = red) and pro hom has increased tremendously, although it sometimes
khao (khao = white). Both pro hom and pro pa are fluctuates. Research to prove this claim is ongoing.
also occasionally prescribed as a set of drugs under

Fig. 29 Wan Nok Kum (K. elegans Wall. ex Baker), a beautiful species grown as a garden plant or a pot plant, can be seen in most
plant shops throoughout Thailand.
˘Ú «“√ “√°“√·æ∑¬å·ºπ‰∑¬·≈–°“√·æ∑¬å∑“߇≈◊Õ° ªï∑’Ë ˆ ©∫—∫∑’Ë Ò ¡°√“§¡ - ‡¡…“¬π ÚııÒ

Belief ported by the Thai Traditional Medical Knowledge Fund

The genus Kaempferia L. comprises several plants of the Ministry of Public Health. The authors would like
known in the Thai folk taxonomy as wan, a plant to thank Datuk Seri Lim Chong Keat for his encourage-
group, most of which have underground storage roots ment and support and the curators and staff members of
or stems; such plants are used as a medicine, or are BKF (Bangkok Forest Herbarium), QBG (Queen Sirikit
believed to produce certain spiritual effects. Taxo- Botanic Garden Herbarium), PSU (Prince of Songkla Uni-
nomically, they are certain plants in several plant fami- versity Herbarium), SING (Singapore Herbarium), K (Royal
lies, such as Araceae, Zingiberaceae, Liliaceae, Botanic Gardens Kew Herbarium), and P (Natural History
Amaryllidaceae, and Orchidaceae, among others. Museum Herbarium, Paris) for herbaruim access, and the
From our research work on this folk plant group, we staff of our research group: Mr. Chalermchoke Boonchit,
recognized some wans in this genus. Table 1 shows Mr. Jeeradej Mayoe, Mr. Piyapong Yupparach, and Mrs.
the list of the wans which, according to modern tax- Pornpimon Wongsuwan for field assistance.
onomy, belong to the Kaempferia L. with their ver-
nacular names and uses.
The çspiritualé uses shown in Table 1 are associ-
ated with a wide ranges of uses, including help in
attracting other people, protection people from ghosts References
and evil, and protection of skin/bodies against any 1. Picheansoonthon C, Koonterm S, Chaiyoot A, Sukrong S. 2008. A
kind of weapons. Resulting from our intensive field new species of Caulokaempferia (Zingiberaceae) from Laos, with further
information on other Caulokaempferia species from Laos. Nat Hist
trips throughout the country, we have collected these Bull Siam Soc 2008; (in press).
wans and identified them scientifically. Some folk taxa 2. Picheansoonthon C, Chaiyoot A, Sukrong S. Jirawongsia, a new genus
may turn out to belong to the same scientific taxon. of the family Zingiberaceae. Folia malaysiana 2008;9 (in press).
This may be a result of the plants in this genus being 3. Picheansoonthon C, Wongsuwan P. Notes on the genus Hedychium
Koenig (Zingiberaceae) in Thailand. J Royal Inst Thail 2008; (in press).
quite variable vegetatively. K. angustifolia Roscoe is 4. Picheansoonthon P, Yupparach P. Notes on the genus Elettariopsis
a good example, since the leaves can vary greatly in Bak. (Zingiberaceae) in Thailand. J Thai Trad Alt Med 2007; 5:267-78.
size and coloration, and hence have different vernacu- 5. Picheansoonthon P, Lim CK, Chaiyoot A, Sukrong S. A new species
lar names. of Caulokaempferia (Zingiberaceae) from southern Thailand. Folia
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(Zingiberaceae) from southern Laos. Nat Hist Bull Siam Soc 2006;54:75-
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may have horticultural potential. K. elegans Wall. ex 7. Picheansoonthon C, Mokkamul P. Two new species of Hedychium
Baker has been developed for this purpose owing to Koenig (Zingiberaceae) from Thailand. Folia malaysiana 2005;6:17-26.
8. Picheansoonthon C, Mokkamul P. A new species of Caulokaempferia
its beautiful leaves and flowers. It is commonly used from southern Thailand. Folia malaysiana 2004;5:1-8.
as a garden decoration or as a pot plant. Leaf color, 9. Picheansoonthon C, P. Mokkamul. Two new Caulokaempferia
form, and coloration of this taxon are selected and (Zingiberaceae) from northeastern Thailand. Folia malaysiana 2004;
cultivated according to market value. 5:69-80.
10. Mokkamul P, C. Picheansoonthon. A new Caulokaempferia (Zingibe-
Several other species, including K. roscoeana raceae) from southern Thailand. Folia Malaysiana 2004;5:187-194.
Wall., and K. galanga L., are also currently grown as 11. Linnaeus C. Species Plantarum (first edition). 1753;2.
pot plants. 12. Linnaeus C. Genera Plantarum (fifth edition). 1754;3.
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and the Pharmacognosy Society of Thailand. Report on the Seminar

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